New faces for Newport at Aberavon

Newport will be hoping their new signings can secure them a win on Saturday.

Newport head coach Sven Cronk has named 12 newcomers - 7 in the 8 named replacements - in the 23 for his team's tough visit to Aberavon tomorrow. (KO 2.30pm)

Last season proved to be the least successful for the Black & Ambers since 2003 and they will be looking to get this campaign off to a fast start with a win.

Aberavon completed the league double over Newport last season including a 40-19 drubbing at the Talbot Athletic Grounds. However Newport still lead the overall head-to-head with 17 wins to the Wizards 11 in the 28 league matches played to date.

But Cronk has been pleased with pre-season preparations which included a good performance at English Championship side Cornish Pirates last Saturday.

"I was particularly pleased with the performance of the pack and said it was a match they could and should have won," he said.

"Things bode well for the future but the trip to Aberavon will be a big test."

Last season's captain Andrew Brown will lead the side in the absence of prop Gethin Robinson while the 23 man squad also includes seven players signed from Pontypool RFC during the close season.

Aberavon will be without wing Richard Carter, the highest-ever try scorer in the Principality Premiership, who has broken an arm, while Nathan Strong awaits an operation and scrum half Dan Davies recovers from broken ankle.

However, they do half a fine half-back pairing in Jamie Davies, the highest-ever points score in league history, and the new vice-captain, David Pritchard.

Liam Gadd returns from honeymoon to join Ben John, the former Wales under-20 player, at centre with John appearing in his first league match since last November.

League debuts go to Wales Under-18 Development squad flanker Joe Tomalin-Reeves and hooker Ieuan Davies while the replacements include Stefan Andrews from Tonmawr, who can cover several back positions.

Wales reached their first semi-final since 2013 in the opening round of this season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie recaps on what proved to be an eventful tournament

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series